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The A-12 was developed as a successor to the U-2. The same project developed the SR-71 Blackbird.

The U.S. government still will not confirm that Area 51, a top-secret testing and development base northwest of Las Vegas, even exists. But the photos serve as tacit confirmation that the desert range was, and still is, an active military installation.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.